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Crocosmia

Posted by claubill z3Sud ONT (My Page) on
Tue, Mar 11, 08 at 12:19

For years, I've been trying to grow crocosmia, sometimes with the bulbs and sometimes with seeds with no success. I'm trying one more time. I have a little packet of crocosmia seeds from a trade and I was wondering if it's too early to sow them indoors. Any suggestions?


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Crocosmia

I might be wrong but I don't think Crocosmia is winter hardy in your zone 3, try growing it in a container so it can be moved into a protected area for the winter or dig and store the corms in the fall, replant in spring. I think 'Lucifer is one of the more hardier varieties but I think you would still have to either containerize or dig it in the fall.


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RE: Crocosmia

I'm from zone 5,twice I've tried crocosmia, "Emberglow" and failed to see any returns the following season. The label read zone5-9 for cold hardiness. I love the bright red/orange flower stems so I will try again. This time in containers or dig them up for winter storage when I see them again.

Sowing Crocosmia from seed is possible,but they do not come back true from seed(same as mother plant). Here is some information that I have:
Sow seeds as soon as they are ripe or between winter or early spring in moist soil 1/8-1/4" @ 65-70 degrees.
Just press the seeds into the moist soil.
The seedlings will have the appearance of thin grass, but with a thick tough texture.If you are successful with the germination the flowering will not take place until maturity,which is 2-3 years.


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RE: Crocosmia

I have a friend who lives in Zone 4 and she is successful having Crocosmia overwinter. As far as I know, the only Crocosmia that is hardy in Zone 5/6 is Lucifer. And even then, it really needs extremely well-drained soil - almost sandy to succeed.

I think that if you have good snowcover and excellent drainage, it might be worthwhile to try Crocosmia Lucifer again. I grew Crocosmia masoniorum from seed this year. I sowed the seed in early January and they germinated about 20 days later. I also don't believe that Crocosmia grown from seed would bloom the same year. I think you would need to grow them on a couple of years before you see blooms. Generally, you can buy a pack of bulbs for about $4.00 for 10 bulbs. You might want to consider buying bulbs again if you really want this plant but make sure to choose the largest bulbs possible.


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